Jackson, MS. August 6, 2008--At 4:45 in the morning on July 30th, the world lost a gospel music treasure while heaven opened its gates to receive her. Margaret "Babe" Allison was born September 25, 1922 in McCormick, South Carolina and is world renowned for her work as the co-founder, singer, pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and director of the legendary Angelic Gospel Singers. Allison passed away leaving a legacy behind her that has inspired generations. Two memorial services will be held in her honor.

Allison's career in gospel music began with a group called the Spiritual Echoes, but a dream led her to form her own female quartet which was dubbed The Angelic Gospel Singers (also referred to as The Angelics). In 1944, Allison co-founded the group with her sister Josephine McDowell and two members of the Spiritual Echoes, Ella Mae Morris and Lucille Shird.

After several years of successful touring in the regions of the south and east, the group decided to pursue a recording contract. Philadelphia record executive Ivan Ballen of Gotham Records employed an open door policy to local artists. This encouraged the Angelics to audition; they were signed immediately. Shortly after, they recorded their first single, "Touch Me Lord Jesus," which became a signature hit for the group and remains a classic gospel piece to this day.

The group recorded twenty-five singles on Gotham Records in six years. The quartet eventually added organ and a fifth voice, Bernice Cole. Joining with the Dixie Hummingbirds for six songs in the 1950s benefited both groups, helping to solidify and expand both careers. In 1955, the group signed to Nashboro records, remaking their signature song, "Touch Me, Lord Jesus." They remained with the label for twenty seven years.

In 1983, the group made their final record label move to Malaco Records, where they have released eleven projects to date, including their May 2008 release, Touch Me Again, a follow up to their first recording in 1949, "Touch Me, Lord Jesus". In 2001, Allison was nominated for a Stellar Award for Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year for her work on Home in the Rock (Malaco Records) and in 2006 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the En Sound Music Awards in Nashville for her contributions to gospel music.

Margaret "Babe" Allison and The Angelics have earned recognition as the longest selling female artist (group) in history from any genre. Allison's inspiration to pursue a singing career in gospel music has inspired many and she has mentored numerous young groups and solo artists over the years. Her smile coupled with her hopeful, kind demeanor has contributed to encouraging many in their journey.

The Angelics have shared the stage and studio with numerous gospel artists including: Mahalia Jackson, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, The Soul Stirrers, The Jackson Southernaires, Willie Banks and The Messengers, The Brooklyn Allstars, Slim and The Supreme Angels, The Swanee Quintet, The Davis Sisters, Evangelist Shirley Caesar, and The Sensational Nightingales.

"Margaret Allison has not only been with Malaco Records for a long time, but her music has been in the world for sixty-four years. She was a dedicated and talented artist and a gracious woman. We will miss her dearly and wish her family and The Angelics our best," comments Tommy Couch Sr, President of the Malaco Music Group.

Cards and condolences may be sent to:

The Allison Family 4937 Catharine Street Philadelphia, PA 19143

For more information on Margaret "Babe" Allison and The Angelic Gospel Singers, please go to www.malaco.com.

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Press Release: 70s Funk Artist George Quezergue Passes

07/23/2008

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE

70’S FUNK ARTIST, GEORGE QUEZERGUE PASSES

Jackson, MS. July 23, 2008-George Quezergue, son of Wardell Quezergue (dubbed the ‘Creole Beethoven’ by Allen Toussaint), passed away on July 14, 2008 in Antioch, TN. Born in Fort Dix, N.J. October 1, 1952, Quezergue served in the army during Vietnam and spent most of his life as a resident of New Orleans until he was forced to evacuate during hurricane Katrina, which landed him in Antioch, TN. Quezergue his survived by his parents, children and a very large extended family.

During his lifetime, George Quezergue was known as the tambourine man on two of Malaco Records biggest hits, “Mr. Big Stuff” sung by Jean Knight and “Groove Me” by King Floyd. Quezergue was also the inexhaustible, invaluable right hand man at his father’s side, keeping track of all charts and documentation required to put together numerous projects simultaneously.

Quezergue was a member of the seventies funk group The Unemployed, produced by his father Wardell and appearing on Atlantic Records. He also became a staple at the Malaco studios singing background and performing percussion on a multitude of tracks. In fact, after the resounding success of “Groove Me” and “Mr. Big Stuff,” Atlantic Records sent four young newcomers to Malaco studios for Quezergue senior to produce. Gerald “Wolf” Stephenson, Vice President of Malaco Records recounts the story this way:

“Atlantic Records sent four young ladies, teenagers all and sisters, from San Francisco to Malaco for Wardell to produce. It would be their very first recording session ever, but certainly not their last. We recorded the tracks while Wardell produced and George accompanied our studio guys on his tambourine and cowbell and the sisters sang with a talent we thought to be very impressive. George, then only a couple years older than the girls, struck up a jovial friendship with them and made them feel much more “at home” in the studio. These recordings helped open the door for the singing sisters to, just a few years later, go on to become major superstars worldwide. Their name? The Pointer Sisters.”

Wardell Sr. produced a staggering number of hits for artists in every genre from Willie Nelson to Fats Domino. In the waning years of the millennium, Wardell, always a close knit member of the Malaco Records family, would often call up to chat, discuss arrangements for one song or another, or reminisce about the carefree, early days when Malaco was a fledgling record company. At his side was always found his talented son, George. The pair’s camaraderie as well as musical gifts are tightly woven threads in the fabric of Malaco history.

Stephenson adds that one of George’s standard requests in these last several years whenever they spoke or visited was for him to send some Red Rose Smoked Sausage, a Mississippi brand he loved, but could not readily find in Louisiana.

“ ‘Red Rose’ was obviously one of George’s ‘secret ingredients’ for his frequent New Orleans ‘wang-dang-doodles,” where he would invite his cadre of close friends, fire up the grill and crank up the music,” mentions Stephenson. “In all our visits over the nearly forty years I knew him, he was always the first with a smile and his standard New Orleans greetings to friends, “Hi-Ya, Buck!” He will be sorely missed.”

George Quezergue and his father, Wardell, brought a decidedly New Orleans flavor to the music they played and produced. The funky style of the seventies originating from New Orleans became a foundation for much of the music that followed and plays an important part of music’s historical roots. George will be missed not only by his father who continues to impress; “I’m not finished yet,” said Wardell after winning the 2008 Offbeat Lifetime Achievement Award, but also by his friends at Malaco Records, the industry and community alike.

For more information on George Quezergue, visit: www.malaco.com, creolemass.com, offbeat.com, unionsquaremusic.co.uk.

The funeral and interment were held on Monday, July 14, 2008 in Madison, TN, however guests may still register comments at:

Roosevelt, NY. July 17, 2008- The Homegoing services for Co-Pastor Betty Wright and grandson Daniel (DJ) Wright Jr. are finalized announced son David Wright. The plans are as follows:

WAKE / VIEWING: SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2008 12 NOON UNTIL~

GRACE TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN CENTER

1745 PACIFIC STREET

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11213

HOMEGOING CELEBRATION: MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008 11:00 AM

WASHINGTON TEMPLE C.O.G.I.C.

1372 BEDFORD AVENUE

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11213

Internment: Greenfield Cemetary, Uniondale, NY

In lieu of floral tributes, to absorb the costs, please consider financial tributes to be sent directly to:

Rev. Timothy Wright - 15 Meyer St, Roosevelt, New York 11575

The family would like to thank you for your expressions of prayer and concern. Rev. Timothy Wright had a successful surgery and is responding well to treatment and therapies. There is still a long road yet to be traveled. We all must continue to pray. In addition, please keep Danny, his wife and sons in prayer for the loss of their son and brother.

Please allow the family a moment to deal with the days ahead by holding your phone calls and e-mails to a bare minimum. Thank you for your understanding during this time of bereavement!

Funeral Arrangements Savoy Record Producer : Rev. Lawrence C. Roberts

07/16/2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GOSPEL LEGEND AND SAVOY RECORDS' PRODUCER

REV. LAWRENCE C. ROBERTS

PASSES AWAY

Many of you may have already been informed that Gospel Legend, Savoy Records' producer, Rev. Lawrence C. Roberts passed away on July 14, 2008 at 5:22 pm. We were advised by his granddaughter, Dawn Miles that Rev. Roberts was with his family at the kitchen table when he was stricken with a massive heart attack.

Rev. Roberts is credited with changing the course of Gospel music history by being the first to perfect the "Live" recording experience in the Gospel genre with The King Of Gospel Rev. James Cleveland's "Volume I". In a conversation with Rev. Roberts, he shared with me how he met with Rev. James Cleveland and advised him that he wanted to record him "live," in church, in service and just let the machine run. He stated, "no one at that time could see how that could work because the industry was only use to studio recordings; take one, take two, go back and clean it up and if you have to clean up a song too much you lose some of the fervor that the original interpretation may have had."

That historic recording took place in October, 1960. Rev. Roberts went on to produced 14 albums for The King Of Gospel, Rev. James Cleveland, which included the classics "Peace Be Still", "I Stood On The Banks Of Jordan", "Christ Is The Answer" and the list goes on and on.

Rev. Lawrence C. Roberts' legendary career came full circle just as he and Malaco began to reestablish a working relationship before his untimely death.

In memory of Rev. Lawrence C. Roberts, The Malaco Music Group will release his final contribution to this historic label, a compilation he entitled, "Bridging The Past, Blessing The Present In Song."

Ira Tucker of the Dixie Hummingbirds: Funeral Arrangements

06/27/2008

Friday, February 27, 2008

Ira Tucker of The Dixie Hummingbirds funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at The Met, 858 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19130. Corner Broad & Poplar; renamed Dixie Hummingbird Way.

The viewing will be conducted from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM. The funeral will proceed immediately following.